Performance yachts and exploration vessels
LOA 23.75m 77ft 10in Hull length 22.00m 72ft 2in LWL 19.84m 65ft 0in Maximum beam 6.20m 20ft 4in Draught (standard keel) 3.70m 12ft 1in
This gorgeous Italian design blends excellent performance that’s optimised for Mediterranean sailing with a very spacious and comfortable interior. The sleek lines and low-profile coachroof have a timeless elegance, yet the hull shape embodies the latest design knowledge, without unnecessary nods to temporary fashion.
“The target was to take advantage of as many aspects of today’s hull shapes as possible to improve performance and also to create a yacht with lots of volume for very comfortable accommodation,” designer Matteo Polli tells us.
“The hull shape is different to what we’ve seen in the past,” he adds. “It’s very wide, which gives enough volume for the interior of this boat to be a key feature, but the waterline beam is narrow.”
In conjunction with rounded underwater sections this gives the least possible wetted surface area for the target displacement of 30 tonnes. Performance in light airs is therefore optimised, which reduces time spent on passage under engine. In stronger winds, once the boat starts to heel the high form stability generated by the wide maximum beam comes into play.
Polli adds: “there’s a huge amount of stability at 20° of heel.”
Despite the optimisation for lighter conditions he expects it to sail efficiently to windward with three reefs in the mainsail and a small staysail in 40 knots of true wind. This heavy weather ability should prove reassuring, whether sailing in the strong winds of the Bonifacio Strait between Corsica and Sardinia, or crossing oceans.
The mast is positioned further aft than is traditional, which allows for an efficient and
easily handled choice of headsails, including two sizes of heavy weather staysail, in the same manner as for IMOCA 60s. The decision to draw a plumb bow, rather than a fashionable reverse bow, was a design choice driven by a desire to maximise the length of the foretriangle. “A longer J measurement reduces the centre of effort for a given sail area,” Polli explains. This allows the boat to be pushed harder when racing or sailed at more comfortable angles of heel when cruising.
The in-demand Italian designer, who previously worked with Maurizio Cossutti and Italia Yachts, was also keen that this boat should have a single rudder. It’s placed well forward, as with TP52S, so operates clear of the disturbed water near the transom, and won’t tend to lift out of the water when the boat heels. Its efficiency is therefore maintained even when the boat is well pressed. A useful bonus is that this also allows for a larger tender garage.
Construction is of advanced composites with the aim of producing a very light but stiff structure. This allows for the unavoidable weight of the systems and tankage that are needed to make life on board comfortable, without creating a yacht that’s too heavy for good performance. Lifting and telescopic keel options are available in addition to the conventional standard keel that has a potentially unwieldy 3.7m draught.
As standard Nauta Design has produced an owner forward four cabin/four heads arrangement with an open full-width saloon and large galley aft on the port side. Customisation is possible, while build quality and the standard of fit-out are intended to match superyacht standards.
Price: €POA. grandsoleil.net
Baltic Yachts has been responsible for some of the world’s most iconic yachts of the past five years, including the 142ft Canova, which is fitted with DSS foils, the 175ft Pink Gin and the 130ft My Song. The Finnish yard’s latest creation, a 68ft daysailer, is no less spectacular as it’s a cutting edge design that looks to the future by using environmentally friendly solutions throughout.
The concept for the boat is based on a very clear vision: the name stems from the pared down motorbikes of 1960s London that were optimised for a single task: conveying their riders impressively quickly from one venue to the next. The result is a design that excels in many respects and stands out in an increasingly crowded market place.
Baltic engaged Mallorca-based Javier Jaudenes as naval architect for the project.
“The design develops best performance in mid-range winds of around 12-14 knots,” he told me. “We wanted to have a powerful sail plan that will also deliver some excitement with gentle breezes.” When in race mode in stronger winds the boat will therefore benefit from having crew on the rail to develop its full potential.
The hull shape minimises wetted surface area at low angles of heel, with rounded sections and relatively low waterline beam aft. However it rapidly gains form stability as the boat heels.
Jaudenes says the decision was made to incorporate twin rudders at an early stage to enable owners to enjoy power reaching to the full when daysailing.
A big effort has been made to minimise the environmental impact of this boat. Roughly 50% of the structural fibres are of flax, while auxiliary power is provided by twin 15kw Oceanvolt electric motors. The ultra-sleek coachroof is covered in solar panels, designed into the styling of the deck from the outset to enhance the boat’s aesthetic appearance. The flax fibres used in construction also help to improve insulation, which can reduce airconditioning power consumption by 30%. As a result there’s sufficient battery capacity to run the aircon all night in eco mode.
As befits this yacht, Baltic has sensibly kept weight out of the ends of the hull, yet there’s impressive accommodation volume below decks – enough for an owner to be able to stay on board for several nights in considerable comfort. The layout is focussed on a generous full-beam saloon, plus a spacious and well appointed forward owner’s suite. There’s also a day head, a small double quarter cabin for guests (or crew) and a reasonable galley.
Launched in May this year, the first Baltic Café Racerwas undergoing initial sea trials when we went to press.
€POA. balticyachts.fi